iePolitics: Our law enforcement at work
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Category Archives: Mike Ramos
The Sentinel: Feds’ Presence In County Betrays DA’s Prosecutorial Malaise
Federal prosecutors have horned in on an unprecedented number of high profile political corruption cases that would otherwise be handled by the district attorney’s office in San Bernardino County. In some matters, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has wrested from district attorney Mike Ramos prosecutorial authority or has opened with the FBI parallel investigations into issues Ramos or the San Bernardino County Grand Jury have delved into without reaching a successful conclusion. In at least three matters, federal prosecutors and investigators have taken on probes or investigations of elected officials or political donors with whom Ramos was politically aligned.
In total, five matters in which current or former elected officials are alleged or suspected to have engaged in bribery or some other form of wrongdoing are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney or being reviewed for their prosecutorial potential by the FBI.
iePolitics: “Mike Ramos for Congress”
That is part of an email I received tonight from a politico type. Apparently, it is resurfacing. Anyone know if this a real possibility?
iePolitics: So what does this do to the statute of limitations issues?
I’m wondering if we have any experts our there that can tell us that now that the feds are involved, do the statute issues go away? This is one of at least ten conspiracy theories I have heard today. In other words, there are those that believe that District Attorney Mike Ramos asked for the FBI to get involved because he wants to get the Colonies Four badly and the feds have the potential of charging them with many more crimes than will be allowed in state court because of the statute issues. There are definitely some behind-the-scenes things going on that indicate that Mikey likes this and isn’t worried at all about the feds being here.
iePolitics: Well Jim, I tried to tell you so!
Jim Erwin has been a bit upset with me, so much so that he removed iePolitics from his blogroll. He didn’t want to hear the truth but would rather believe his own propaganda. Well Jim, I told you so.
It has been obvious for a while now that recent developments in the Colonies case did not set well with law enforcement. They do not like their butts handed to them on a silver platter, which was done to a small degree by Judge Brian McCarville a few weeks ago.
iePolitics: A few more things about the Colonies scandal – update
I added the op-ed piece below by Paul Mahoney because it points out several things the newspapers seem to be overlooking on purpose. It, along with several other recent articles, reminded me of some things I had totally forgotten about.
I have defended Judge Christopher Warner many times on this blog. As I have written before, I was his first secretary when he was appointed to the bench. Although it is certainly possible to be corrupted in a system that is so inherently corrupt, I find that hard to believe in this instance. I guess that is why I found the Sun stories attacking Judge Warner and Justice Panelli so offensive. I simply do not believe that either of them did what the District Attorney’s office, Attorney General, and Dennis Wagner are accusing them of doing.
That brings me to Dennis Wagner. And I shall preface the rest of this post by saying that what I am about to describe is based on conversations with Jim Erwin and Mark Kirk at the time. Both have lied to me in the past and may have been lying during this episode but this is what they led me to believe.
iePolitics: A bit perturbed
If my piece yesterday sounded like I was a bit perturbed, it is because I was perturbed and irritated with newspaper reporters/publishers and politicians who try to claim they are taking the high road when they are just as corrupt or more corrupt than those they report about or prosecute. Let’s face it. Frank Pine is not the least bit interested in ending corruption in San Bernardino County. Without corruption stories, the Sun is nothing.
Good government does not make headlines. Corruption stories sell newspapers and the more sensational, the more papers sold. I can’t wait to hear these newspaper execs cry foul play when a judge rules that their one-sided sensationalized reporting has tainted the jury pool to the point that the Colonies cases must legitimately be moved out of county. These guys do not seek justice, they seek revenue.
If Frank Pine was truly interested in seeing corruption cleaned up in this county, he would pursue the stories for which he has been provided documentation and eyewitness accounts from victims. The same goes for the Press Enterprise’s Cassie MacDuff.
iePolitics: Congratulations to Buzz, or is it Woody?
Mike Ramos and Rod Hoops
Editor’s Note: The photo above is from Ramos’ Facebook page. Even we would not stoop this low. See previous post.
Ramos to represent California in national group
Staff Report
Created: 06/29/2011 03:42:31 PM PDT
The Board of Directors for the National District Attorneys Association has unanimously voted in District Attorney Michael A. Ramos as its newest member.
Ramos will hold the position for one year, and he has been asked by NDAA President-elect Jan Scully to serve as co-chair of the committee for corrections and prison re-entry, according to a press statement released today by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.
“Because of my work as president of the CDAA with Governor Brown on AB 109 this past year, I have been noticed as an expert in this area,” said Ramos, who is serving in his third term as the county’s top prosecutor.
Read more: http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_18378230#ixzz1Qp494eI2
iePolitics: Colonies rumors and more
There are two opposing rumors of sorts out there. First, in this week’s issue of the Sentinel, Mark claims that Supervisor Josie Gonzales filed a Grand Jury complaint in 2006 over the Colonies issues, thus making the powers-that-be aware of some of the overt acts two years before the District Attorney’s office claims they actually knew. This was supposedly part of her Grand Jury testimony last week. That seems to be very problematic if true.
And, in the opposite direction is word that by the county waiving attorney/client privilege, the District Attorney has been able to obtain enough information to prosecute Supervisor Gary Ovitt for his part in the Colonies scandal. Apparently, they have emails and other documents that now prove a quid pro quo arrangement between Burum and the three supervisors.
iePolitics: Sex in the yearbook
I had to point out this comment from Steve Brow to everyone. One of my all-time favorites:
Fassari, yours is the most intelligent post on this thread. I was editor of my high school magazine. Of course I pushed the limit on humor and content and was very worried what would pass my journaoism teacher and the Principal. I did not get censored.
There can not be intention of possessing child porn for refusing to turn in a yearbook that was purchased not only innocently but by expectation according to traditions spanning a century. Any blame lies with the student page editor, the yearbook editor, the yearbook supervisor, and the principal.
There is also the news value aspect to the photo. It was a depiction of what student society actually was at the high school and what was possible under the established supervision.
Finally, were not these students only emulating what they saw in their heros at the SBSD and the San Bernardino County DA office? Or are we to expect that our curious students never log into iepolitcs.com?
What are you teaching our kids, Mr. Hoops and Mr. Ramos?
iePolitics: A little about the DA’s new PR guy
I will be the first to admit that he sounds like a good guy which, of course, makes me wonder why he would want to work for someone as evil as Mike Ramos. Here are a couple of links about Christopher Lee:
iePolitics: What happened to Susan Mickey
I received a copy of the interoffice memo and action request today announcing the hiring of Christopher Lee as the Public Relations Officer for the District Attorney’s office. I will get them scanned in tomorrow and post the documents. It is nice to know where taxpayer money is being spent in the difficult economic times.
iePolitics: Hmm . . . no more Batman and Robin?
Maybe we have our answer already from Mike Ramos’ Facebook page—that’s right Mikey and Rod, blocking me does no good as I have spies everywhere!
Mike Ramos and Rod Hoops
Some may remember the post from long ago regarding the photo on Ramos’ wall depicting Gary Penrod and himself as Batman and Robin. We speculated at the time that Rod Hoops was not a tights-wearing-kind-of-guy and we were right. Seems cowboy boots are more his style. Now, which one is Woody?
iePolitics: Retaliatory arrest/prosecution in San Bernardino County
Anyone surprised this Ninth Circuit Court decision comes out of our county? Didn’t think so. If someone has a link to the actual decision that works, please post it. Everyone I tried was dead.
Beck v. City of Upland
The Recorder
May 29, 2008
9th Cir.
May 28, 2008
05-56901
The court of appeals reversed a judgment of the district court. The court held that a §42 U.S.C. §1983 action for an allegedly retaliatory arrest made on a warrant obtained after the filing of a criminal complaint was not precluded, by California law immunizing the arresting officers, and pursuant to Hartman v. Moore, 547 U.S. 250 (2006).
Kenneth Beck owned Dineen Trucking in the City of Upland. Beck often did rubble removal and recycling work. He heard that Upland was planning construction work that would create a significant amount of rubble.
However, without public notice or comment, the Upland city council awarded a sizable no-bid contract for the work to an out-of-town competitor, Intravaia Rock & Sand.
Because the city normally put all projects over $5000 out to bid, Beck suspected irregularities. He called the mayor and told him that he planned to raise his concerns about the contract at the next city council meeting.
iePolitics: We were right
At least we were right to a degree. I’m talking about the District Attorney’s office asking for and getting excessively high bails on the latest arrestees, Jeff Burum, Jim Erwin, Mark Kirk and Paul Biane.
I have not hidden the fact that I wanted to see these guys arrested . . . vengeance, karma, the golden rule . . .whatever. They needed to be shown some humility like so many of the rest of us.
iePolitics: Charged with Sorcery
This article was sent to me yesterday, and after reading it, I decided it opens all kinds of new possibilities in the county’s corruption scandal. We already have allegations of bribery, extortion, theft, prostitution, kickbacks, infidelity, and the likes. It seems like sorcery would be a great addition.
iePolitics: Update on indictments
We have confirmed with multiple sources that those who may be indicted by the San Bernardino County Grand Jury in the ongoing corruption scandal have been told they will be allowed to turn themselves in, which is quite a departure in comparison to how Bill Postmus, Jim Erwin, et al., were handled. Of course, this is the right way to do things because not a single one of them is a flight risk. We are wondering if the new AG has had an effect of how things are done or if someone cut a deal. Of course, there are many rumors that certain members of the bench are under investigation and we know positively that Ramos is being looked at closely. Either way, it is interesting to see the disparity in treatment.
iePolitics: Matt “Yellow” Brown
Yellow Rat Snake
There is a post over at www.inlandpolitics.com regarding Supervisor Paul Biane’s former Chief of Staff Matt Brown’s Young Republican PAC. Here is the link: Young Republican PAC.
Brown is one of the sleaziest county politicos in the whole county corruption scandal. He attempted to record his former boss while collecting a $200,000-plus salary from him. It is also thought he is behind many of the recent leaks.
iePolitics: Blood Stains On Their Hands–Originally posted January 19, 2010
Not long after Thanksgiving I was at a friend’s house and we were discussing my situation at the time. This friend is a very strong Christian and he and his wife have helped me in many ways with their only request being that I not identify them. We were talking about the fact that most of those who have helped me out were non-Christians and how the so-called “Christians” had really let me down. The conversation naturally gravitated to Jim Erwin and Mark Kirk, two of my most high-profile friends. I commented about how Jim, someone who I don’t believe has ever had a personal relationship with Christ, has been a Godsend to me and helped me over and over when I’ve needed it most. Mark, who I know to be a strong Christian, has let me down every time, never keeping his word to me.
Last Friday when I heard the news of the findings in the Hostile Work Environment investigation against District Attorney Mike Ramos, my heart sank. I immediately called Cheryl Ristow and the pain in her voice was heartbreaking. I could relate because, I too, had been let down by our leaders who have in their power the ability to do the right thing with integrity and instead choose to make decisions in their own best interests and not care about how many others they hurt. We are all nothing but collateral damage to them, unimportant and unworthy of their concern or help. Continue reading
iePolitics: Explosive revelation if it can be confirmed
Here is a link to the top story at the Sentinel: March 25, 2011 And here is a companion story at www.inlandpolitics.com. Mark G. please call me!!
iePolitics: A Memo from Sheriff Rod Hoops . . . Let Me Interpret–Originally posted April 17,2010
Sheriff Hoops, First off, you need to find yourself a new secretary. Secretarial skills should at least be one of the qualifications required before you hire someone for such a position! As an elected official, you are judged by what you produce. If I could have figured out a way, I would have used my handy-dandy red pen on your memo. Please try harder to have your staff produce professional-looking documents. For those who have not seen it:
Examiner: SBCo. Sheriff POST scandal to be discussed by District Attorney
Editor: Please click on link below so I get paid!
San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos issued a media advisory today regarding the POST scandal involving up to 27 members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. He has called a press conference for March 8 at 11:30 a.m. Employees have been accused of falsifying training records so to receive additional compensation.
The scandal was first discovered as early as 2009 and was reported on a local political blog, iePolitics.com. Sheriff’s officials continued to deny the extent of the criminal activity among its members as recently as the June 2010 primary when Sheriff Rod Hoops was running for election to his first full term. He had been appointed the previous year by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors to replace Sheriff Gary Penrod, who retired before his term expired.
iePolitics: Ristow lawsuit dismissed; appeal to be filed
The lawsuit filed by Cheryl Ristow against District Attorney Mike Ramos was dismissed today by Judge Gafkowski. The judge ruled that the relationship was “consensual.” That is a very interesting ruling because previously Ramos has denied ever having a relationship with Ristow. We are attempting to obtain the pleadings in this case to see if there is an admission by Ramos.
iePolitics: DA Ramos has friend in Governor
From the KNews website:
San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos met with Governor Brown in Sacramento Thursday. The meeting was to discuss the budget and public safety. Ramos said the get together with Brown was positive and productive. The two also discussed the issue of realignment, or moving some state services to the control of counties. For example, the parole system and the state-controlled part of the juvenile justice system. Ramos said, “I know the governor understands that public safety is a priority for the residents of San Bernardino County and the State of California.”
iePolitics: What I think of the Colonies scandal a year later
In a comment one of the bloggers asked me something along those lines. This is a post I have been trying to write for a week or so. If you dare to read it, expect it to be long and rambling as I have a lot to say about the scandal, the defendants and the John Does. I’m not even sure where to start.
Much of what I think about the Colonies scandal is no different that what I thought a year ago after the arrests were made and the John Does were “named.” But some has.
iePolitics: Hey Jeff, did you notice Mikey got sworn in to a third term?
Jeff Burum
So, I thought the idea was to fund an opponent? Or was it to let Rex take a hit for you? I’m beginning to wonder.
iePolitics: So why don’t we have a new District Attorney?
Riverside County District Attorney Paul Zellerbach was sworn in today, replacing the only district attorney in the state of California who could rival San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos in terms of political persecutions. As a matter of fact, former-Riverside County District Attorney Rod Pacheco seemed to have totally lost it in the final days of his term. His behavior could only be called bizarre.
We are not ready to say Ramos is equally bizarre. But he is still a predator, a predator who could be retired as of today had promises been kept.
iePolitics: Predictions for 2011
First off, it’s a little late in the day, but HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone. Let’s start with the easy predictions first.
Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
If the Federal Bureau of Investigation has control of the investigation and is conducting it thoroughly, we have every reason to believe that Mark Uffer, Josie Gonzales, Paul Biane, Dr. Dev GnanaDev, and Jessica Brown will be indicted. There could be numerous other elected and appointed officials involved as well but those are the names we hear were on the search warrants.
This prediction is based on my own observations while I worked at ARMC as well as talking with those that were required to provide officials with service. My former desk partner had worked in the emergency room and was responsible for processing in many “VIPs.”
iePolitics: So who is going to be arrested next?
Editor: You have to read down to the very end of this article to see that Ramos claims there may be more arrests in 2011.
Corruption probes cast wide net
Investigators pursue cases across county
Posted: 12/30/2010 05:47:55 PM PST
Updated: 12/30/2010 06:49:15 PM PST
The past year has been fraught with scandal in San Bernardino County as state and local prosecutors charged two former county officials in a sweeping corruption complaint related to a $102million land dispute and convicted a third former county official on charges of fraud, theft and conspiracy.Also in 2010, federal investigators raided the county’s Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton and Upland City Hall in what appear to be unrelated investigations.
iePolitics: How the Ristow case will resolve
We are going to start our New Year’s predictions early because we are hearing a bit of chatter. And the chatter is that Mike Ramos is on the offensive.
The key to the Ristow case is the up-to-now confidential affidavits signed by five women who were involved with Ramos. Making those affidavits public will take Ramos down and he knows it.
So far none of the predictions about his demise have come true. The BOS has only seen a report that basically puts all the blame on Ristow. Mark Kirk , Andrew Lamberto, and Ruth Stringer made sure the truth did not come out.
SBSun: Ramos named to transition team for AG-elect Harris
Editor’s Note: It seems we have been misled once again.
Posted: 12/22/2010 02:01:33 PM PST
District Attorney Michael A. Ramos was named to the transition team for state Attorney General elect Kamala Harris, his office announced today.
Ramos was appointed to co-chair the committee on Gangs, Gun Crimes and Organized Crime, which is one of eleven “Smart on Crime” Committees that will help Harris transition into the office.
SBSun: San Bernardino County district attorney attends meeting with Gov.-elect Jerry Brown
Editor’s Note: This certainly makes us wonder what we have been led to believe about Ramos. We also hear that he is going to continue in his position to the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board under Governor-elect Brown. Makes us wonder.
Posted: 12/16/2010 07:22:55 PM PST
San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael A. Ramos was among a statewide contingent of law enforcement officials who met with Gov.-elect Jerry Brown this week to discuss major issues.Among the items discussed, Ramos said he was concerned about a future loss of revenue from the sun-setting Vehicle License Fund, state prison realignment discussions and the state budget. The meeting occurred Monday at Brown’s office in Sacramento.
iePolitics: A rogue judge
San Bernardino County Courthouse
If ever there is a judge that the US Department of Justice needs to investigate, it is Judge Duke D. Rouse. He has clearly become a bagman for District Attorney Mike Ramos.
Many things went on during the Rex Gutierrez trial that were never written about in the media. One of them is the fact that Gutierrez’ attorney, Jim Reiss, became very ill during the proceedings. Reiss asked that the trial be continued so that he could seek medical treatment. Rouse refused.
InlandPolitics: The Sun still protecting DA
District Attorney Mike Ramos
Sunday, December 5, 2010 – 01:30 p.m.
Last week another round of perjury for San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos.
Last week another list of excuses and deflections by his biggest defender.
The editorial board of The Sun seems to be on its heels over the latest screw-up by Ramos, but rushed to his defense none-the-less.
Last week the California Fair Political Practices Commission announced it intended to fine Ramos and his campaign treasurer, San Bernardino-based certified public accountant Marvin Reiter, for nine errors on Ramos’ campaign finance disclosure.
Most of the some $9,000 in omissions were credit card charges related to hotels and bars.
The lastest episode comes on the heels of Ramos being caught for failing to disclose a $10,000 payment he made to his wife from his campaign funds in 2009 for alleged campaign work.
A practice which is now banned under state law.
iePolitics: The Ramos Fine
One of my disappointments during the past eleven days of non-blogging has been my inability to write about the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) findings against San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos. Many of you may remember that we filed the complaint against him that resulted in this fine. See: Mike Ramos
Although we are happy with the finding of guilt, we do not believe the commission is going far enough. Ramos is actively prosecuting his political enemies for similar deeds, charging infractions as felonies. Yet, as an attorney he should be held to a higher standard. But instead he is receiving a slap on the hand in comparison to others.
iePolitics: Exclusive: The Eyler/Postmus witness list – Updated #3
Editor’s Note: For a blog that “no one reads,” stories that are printed on it sure do have the tendency to create havoc. We knew there would be several additional names to this list, but then presents drop from the sky. And those presents were read by the defense.
iePolitics has obtained a partial list of witnesses expected to be called as a part of the upcoming corruption trial in People v. Postmus, et al. Attorneys for the defendants have given the judge an expected length of seven to eight weeks for the trial. Here are the names we have been given so far:
Daily Press: SB County DA fails to properly disclose credit card charges
Ramos, campaign treasurer to pay $2,500 fine
November 30, 2010 4:29 PM
SAN BERNARDINO • The state campaign watchdog has imposed a $2,500 fine on District Attorney Michael Ramos and his treasurer for failing to itemize campaign credit card charges on Ramos’ public disclosure form.
The California Fair Political Practices Commission found Ramos and his campaign treasurer, Marvin Reiter, had committed technical violations by failing to disclose required vendor information for nine credit card expenditures on the District Attorney’s Dec. 31, 2009 semi-annual campaign report.
The $8,619 in charges included expenditures at Embassy Suites Hotel, U.S. Airways, JW Marriott Hotel, Oak Quarry Golf Club, Institute for Advancement of Criminal Justice, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Tartan Restaurant of Redlands, Double Tree Hotel and Farm Artisan Foods.
InlandPolitics Commentary: Ramos fined again
Monday, November 29, 2010 – 11:00 p.m.
Last Updated: November 30, 2010 – 06:45 a.m.
Well…well….well…….
San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos caught again by state regulators.
After getting fined $200 earlier this year by the State of California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) for failing to properly disclose $10,000 he paid to his wife from campaign funds, Ramos is about to get smacked again.
This time the proposed fine is $2,500 against both Ramos and his campaign committee treasurer. A significantly stiffer penalty, and one highly irregular for a sitting District Attorney.
But Ramos’ own ethical lapses know no bounds.
It seems San Bernardino County’s illustrious “Do as I say, not as I do” DA intentionally failed to itemize a 2009 campaign-funded credit card charging frenzy on his finance disclosure reports.
iePolitics: Meltdown at County Fire – Part 2
Bret Henry
I am going to start this by responding to the two people who used a number of various names on the blog but that 95 percent of the negative comments came from. I chose to remain silent for a day just to see where this would go and it went exactly where I expected it to go as I had been warned ahead of time what the thugs at the Fire union are capable of doing.
You see Bret, Bobby, and the rest of you, you can call me crazy and I could not care less. You can write whatever lies you would like to and I also don’t care. Have you heard the saying, “Don’t underestimate the power of someone who has nothing to lose.” Well, I have absolutely nothing to lose and that sets me apart from your other victims.
iePolitics: Exclusive: The Eyler/Postmus witness list – Updated
Editor’s Note: For a blog that “no one reads,” stories that are printed on it sure do have the tendency to create havoc. We knew there would be several additional names to this list, but then presents drop from the sky. And those presents were read by the defense.
iePolitics has obtained a partial list of witnesses expected to be called as a part of the upcoming corruption trial in People v. Postmus, et al. Attorneys for the defendants have given the judge an expected length of seven to eight weeks for the trial. Here are the names we have been given so far:
iePolitics: RIP
Yet another individual associated with one of San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos’ political witch hunts has taken his own life. The deputy public defender representing Steven Cox has passed away. Although we are not suggesting his untimely death was related to the case, we have been sitting on a story of wrongdoing by both Doreen Boxer and Lauri Ferguson as well as Mike Ramos in this situation for several months. Boxer/Ferguson have put up one roadblock after another to keep the story out of the press. Now maybe the story will get told. And perhaps our Board of Supervisors will realize the consequences of their indecision.
Our condolences to the family.
InlandPolitics: The Insider: Feds calling shots in ARMC investigation
Wednesday, November 10, 2010 – 9:28 a.m.
Is the District Attorney really calling the shots in the investigation involving activities at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC)?
The evidence is building, and it’s beginning to look more and more like the answer is “no”.
Confidential sources tell The Insider that federal agents were doing the questioning of hospital staff, not investigators for District Attorney Michael Ramos, as everyone is being led to believe.
InlandPolitics: The Insider: Names surfacing in FBI probe
Sunday, November 7, 2010 – 09:15 a.m.
The Insider has learned that one of the areas newspapers has received a complete list of persons named in a search warrant served at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center by federal agents last week.
One has to admit it doesn’t take long for secrets to leak out in San Bernardino County.
InlandPolitics: The Insider: County judge shopping on Ramos case
Sunday, November 7, 2010 – 1:45 p.m.
San Bernardino County appears to be judge shopping in a lawsuit filed against it and District Attorney Mike Ramos by former employee Cheryl Ristow.
Ristow has sued the county and Ramos, claiming she was retaliated against by Ramos for refusing to keep secret and affair between her and the two-term DA, when knowledge of their relationship went public in May 2009.
InlandPolitics: S.B. County officials, past and present, run for cover
Saturday, November 6, 2010 – 12:20 p.m.
Last Updated: November 6, 2010 – 05:30 p.m.
Now the lid has finally blown on the scandal at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC).
What a surprise to us all.
Well, not really.
Saturday mornings local news articles related to federal agents raiding the facility and seizing records were horrendous to say the least.
All of those denials. Or should I say lies.
The most outrageous is courtesy of former ARMC administrator and fired county administrative officer Mark H. Uffer, who through his attorney Sanford Kassel, denies any knowledge of free health care for county elected and appointed officials.
Kassel says Uffer was shocked to hear about the goings on at ARMC.
iePolitics: More prosecutorial misconduct exposed at Postmus prelim; Matt Brown proves worth to opponents once again
Fireworks could be found once again today at the San Bernardino County Courthouse where District Attorney investigator Bud Randle was forced to admit that the District Attorneys office used former Chief of Staff Matt Brown to illegally tape record Bill Postmus. Once Postmus obtained legal counsel such an act violates his Constitutional right against self-incrimination. This revelation as well as the one last Friday where they had to admit they used Adam Aleman in a similar manner has the potential to cause all charges to be dismissed.
SBGrapevine: Editorial: Time for the US Department of Justice to Step in: Compelled to Deceive – Part Three
Adam Aleman
Are you listening US Attorney? San Bernardino County is in crisis. It is a crisis that mocks our justice system; one that distorts the truth; and one where integrity is a forgotten. Bringing about justice is no longer the highest priority of our county prosecutors; winning at any and all cost is their goal—a goal that has little to do integrity, truth or . . . justice.
There are many lesser-known stories of justice gone awry in our county. Ours starts with a little-known manager at the local Outback Steakhouse who went on to make headlines. His name is familiar to all of us. It is Adam Aleman.
Aleman caught the attention of then-Supervisor Bill Postmus many years ago. He eventually left Outback Steakhouse to become a member of Postmus’ Board of Supervisors staff.
SB Sentinel: Court Filing Contradicts Cortes’ Form 700s
Grand Terrace City Councilwoman Bea Cortes
Friday, October 15, 2010
Grand Terrace City Councilwoman Bea Cortes consistently failed to disclose a significant portion of the income she received on the financial interest disclosure forms she was required to fill out throughout her tenure as an elected official, court documents Cortes herself filed in conjunction with her divorce show.
iePolitics: FPPC investigation into Ramos “ongoing”
Some may remember the FPPC complaint I filed against San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos about six months ago. I had not received status on the complaint since a few weeks after I filed it. I finally called up there to see if perhaps the letter had been lost in the mail. I was told they will not give me status on an on-going investigation and will advise me when they have completed it. So you will know when I know.
SBGrapevine: Editorial: Now is the time for the US Department of Justice to step in – Part Two
Are you listening US Attorney? San Bernardino County is in crisis. The principles our nation were founded on are being undermined by the very person sworn to uphold the Constitution of the United States—the person charged with enforcing the Constitution and all state and local laws at the county level.
When one reads the California District Attorneys Association Code of Ethics reprinted in Part One of this series, it is easy to see its President and our county’s District Attorney, Mike Ramos, has broken every concept put forth in that document. He flagrantly violates those ethical standards while claiming to be in the pursuit of “justice.”